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which was to commemorate His own death as 〃the Lamb of God； which taketh
away the sin of the world。〃 That same night He was taken by wicked hands to
be crucified and slain。 And as the antitype of the wave sheaf our Lord was
raised from the dead on the third day； 〃the first fruits of them that
slept；〃 a sample of all the resurrected just； whose 〃vile body〃 shall be
changed； and 〃fashioned like unto His glorious body。〃 Verse
20； Philippians 3：21。
In like manner the types which relate to the second advent must be fulfilled
at the time pointed out in the symbolic
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service。 Under the Mosaic system the cleansing of the sanctuary； or the
great Day of Atonement； occurred on the tenth day of the seventh Jewish
month （Leviticus 16：29…34）； when the high priest； having made an atonement
for all Israel； and thus removed their sins from the sanctuary； came forth
and blessed the people。 So it was believed that Christ； our great High
Priest； would appear to purify the earth by the destruction of sin and
sinners； and to bless His waiting people with immortality。 The tenth day of
the seventh month； the great Day of Atonement； the time of the cleansing of
the sanctuary； which in the year 1844 fell upon the twenty…second of
October； was regarded as the time of the Lord's coming。 This was in harmony
with the proofs already presented that the
2300 days would terminate in the autumn； and the
conclusion seemed irresistible。
In the parable of Matthew 25 the time of waiting and slumber is followed by
the coming of the bridegroom。 This was in accordance with the arguments just
presented； both from prophecy and from the types。 They carried strong
conviction of their truthfulness； and the 〃midnight cry〃 was heralded by
thousands of believers。
Like a tidal wave the movement swept over the land。 From city to city； from
village to village； and into remote country places it went； until the
waiting people of God were fully aroused。 Fanaticism disappeared before this
proclamation like early frost before the rising sun。 Believers saw their
doubt and perplexity removed； and hope and courage animated their hearts。
The work was free from those extremes which are ever manifested when there
is human excitement without the controlling influence of the word and Spirit
of God。 It was similar in character to those seasons of humiliation and
returning unto the Lord which among ancient Israel followed messages of
reproof from His servants。 It bore the characteristics that mark the work of
God in every age。 There was little ecstatic joy； but rather deep searching
of heart； confession of sin； and forsaking of the world。 A
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preparation to meet the Lord was the burden of agonizing spirits。 There was
persevering prayer and unreserved consecration to God。
Said Miller in describing that work： 〃There is no great expression of joy：
that is； as it were； suppressed for a future occasion； when all heaven and
earth will rejoice together with joy unspeakable and full of glory。 There is
no shouting： that； too； is reserved for the shout from heaven。 The singers
are silent： they are waiting to join the angelic hosts； the choir from
heaven。 。 。 。 There is no clashing of sentiments： all are of one heart and
of one mind。〃Bliss； pages 270； 271。
Another who participated in the movement testified： 〃It produced everywhere
the most deep searching of heart and humiliation of soul before the God of
high heaven。 It caused a weaning of affections from the things of this
world； a healing of controversies and animosities； a confession of wrongs； a
breaking down before God； and penitent； brokenhearted supplications to Him
for pardon and acceptance。 It caused self…abasement and prostration of soul；
such as we never before witnessed。 As God by Joel commanded； when the great
day of God should be at hand； it produced a rending of hearts and not of
garments； and a turning unto the Lord with fasting； and weeping； and
mourning。 As God said by Zechariah； a spirit of grace and supplication was
poured out upon His children； they looked to Him whom they had pierced；
there was a great mourning in the land； 。 。 。 and those who were looking for
the Lord afflicted their souls before Him。〃Bliss； in Advent Shield and
Review； vol。 I； p。 271 （January； 1845）。
Of all the great religious movements since the days of the apostles； none
have been more free from human imperfection and the wiles of Satan than was
that of the autumn of 1844。 Even now； after the lapse of many years； all who
shared in that movement and who have stood firm upon the platform of truth
still feel the holy influence of that blessed work and bear witness that it
was of God。
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At the call； 〃The Bridegroom cometh； go ye out to meet Him；〃 the waiting
ones 〃arose and trimmed their lamps；〃 they studied the word of God with an
intensity of interest before unknown。 Angels were sent from heaven to arouse
those who had become discouraged and prepare them to receive the message。
The work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men； but in the power
of God。 It was not the most talented； but the most humble and devoted； who
were the first to hear and obey the call。 Farmers left their crops standing
in the fields； mechanics laid down their tools； and with tears and rejoicing
went out to give the warning。 Those who had formerly led in the cause were
among the last to join in this movement。 The churches in general closed
their doors against this message； and a large company of those who received
it withdrew from their connection。 In the providence of God this
proclamation united with the second angel's message and gave power to that
work。
The message； 〃Behold； the Bridegroom cometh！〃 was not so much a matter of
argument； though the Scripture proof was clear and conclusive。 There went
with it an impelling power that moved the soul。 There was no doubt； no
questioning。 Upon the occasion of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem
the people who were assembled from all parts of the land to keep the feast
flocked to the Mount of Olives； and as they joined the throng that were
escorting Jesus they caught the inspiration of the hour and helped to swell
the shout： 〃Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord！〃 Matthew
21：9。 In like manner did unbelievers who flocked to the Adventist
meetingssome from curiosity； some merely to ridiculefeel the convincing
power attending the message： 〃Behold； the Bridegroom cometh！〃
At that time there was faith that brought answers to prayerfaith that had
respect to the recompense of reward。 Like showers of rain upon the thirsty
earth； the Spirit of grace descended upon the earnest seekers。 Those who
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expected soon to stand face to face with their Redeemer felt a solemn joy
that was unutterable。 The softening； subduing power of the Holy Spirit
melted the heart as His blessing was bestowed in rich measure upon the
faithful； believing ones。
Carefully and solemnly those who received the message came up to the time
when they hoped to meet their Lord。 Every mor